diff --git a/app/sovran_systemsos_web/server.py b/app/sovran_systemsos_web/server.py
index 936fab3..7d7028c 100644
--- a/app/sovran_systemsos_web/server.py
+++ b/app/sovran_systemsos_web/server.py
@@ -319,6 +319,14 @@ _PORTS_ELEMENT_CALLING = [
     {"port": "30000-40000", "protocol": "TCP/UDP", "description": "TURN relay (WebRTC)"},
 ]
 
+# Units whose port requirements exist purely so the user can forward them in
+# their router.  Whether those ports actually work can only be judged from
+# OUTSIDE the network, so we never show a local "ready/not ready" verdict for
+# them and they never affect tile health — we just tell the user what to
+# forward.  (E.g. the LiveKit TURN relay range is bound on demand, so a local
+# `ss` check reports "closed" even on a perfectly working system.)
+ROUTER_FORWARD_ONLY_UNITS: set[str] = {"livekit.service"}
+
 SERVICE_PORT_REQUIREMENTS: dict[str, list[dict]] = {
     # Infrastructure
     "caddy.service":                    [],
@@ -2895,7 +2903,11 @@ async def api_services():
             else:
                 domain_reachability = "unreachable"
 
-        health_port_requirements = list(port_requirements)
+        # Router-forwarded ports can only be verified from outside the network,
+        # so they must not drive local health.
+        health_port_requirements = (
+            [] if unit in ROUTER_FORWARD_ONLY_UNITS else list(port_requirements)
+        )
         if needs_domain:
             health_port_requirements = [
                 {"port": "80", "protocol": "TCP"},
@@ -3136,10 +3148,17 @@ async def api_service_detail(unit: str, icon: str | None = None):
         domain_check_steps = domain_eval.get("domain_check_steps", [])
         has_domain_issues = bool(domain_eval.get("has_issues"))
 
-    # Port requirements and statuses
+    # Port requirements and statuses.
+    #
+    # For router-forward-only units we deliberately skip the local
+    # listening/firewall probe: those ports live on the *router*, and a local
+    # probe can neither prove nor disprove that forwarding works.  Reporting a
+    # local verdict there confused users more than it helped, so the UI just
+    # lists what to forward.
     port_requirements = SERVICE_PORT_REQUIREMENTS.get(unit, [])
+    router_forward_only = unit in ROUTER_FORWARD_ONLY_UNITS
     port_statuses: list[dict] = []
-    if port_requirements:
+    if port_requirements and not router_forward_only:
         listening, allowed = await asyncio.gather(
             loop.run_in_executor(None, _get_listening_ports),
             loop.run_in_executor(None, _get_firewall_allowed_ports),
@@ -3154,30 +3173,19 @@ async def api_service_detail(unit: str, icon: str | None = None):
                 "status": ps,
                 "description": p.get("description", ""),
             })
-    extra_ports = port_statuses if unit == "livekit.service" else []
-
-    if needs_domain and unit == "livekit.service":
-        if has_domain_issues:
-            domain_check_steps.append({
-                "step": 4,
-                "label": "Router Setup Needed",
-                "status": "skipped",
-                "detail": "Finish the domain steps first, then forward the Element Call ports in your router.",
-            })
-        else:
-            # These checks are local-only (listening/firewall state on this computer),
-            # not an outside-in verification of router/NAT forwarding.
-            all_local_ready = all(p["status"] != "closed" for p in extra_ports)
-            domain_check_steps.append({
-                "step": 4,
-                "label": "Router Setup Needed" if all_local_ready else "Sovran_SystemsOS Port Setup Needed",
-                "status": "warning" if all_local_ready else "error",
-                "detail": (
-                    "Sovran_SystemsOS is ready to use these ports on this computer. Now forward them in your router so Element Call can work from outside your home network."
-                    if all_local_ready
-                    else "Sovran_SystemsOS is not ready to use all required Element Call ports on this computer yet. Fix the ports marked “Not ready yet” below, then forward them in your router."
-                ),
-            })
+    # Ports the user must forward in their router (no local status — see above).
+    router_ports = (
+        [
+            {
+                "port": str(p.get("port", "")),
+                "protocol": str(p.get("protocol", "TCP")),
+                "description": p.get("description", ""),
+            }
+            for p in port_requirements
+        ]
+        if router_forward_only
+        else []
+    )
 
     # Compute composite health
     sync_progress: float | None = None
@@ -3264,7 +3272,7 @@ async def api_service_detail(unit: str, icon: str | None = None):
         "domain_check_steps": domain_check_steps,
         "port_requirements": port_requirements,
         "port_statuses": port_statuses,
-        "extra_ports": extra_ports,
+        "router_ports": router_ports,
         "external_ip": external_ip,
         "internal_ip": internal_ip,
         "feature": feature_entry,
@@ -3362,6 +3370,11 @@ async def api_ports_health():
         if not enabled:
             continue
 
+        # Router-forwarded ports are not locally verifiable — excluded from
+        # aggregate health so they can't raise a false alarm.
+        if unit in ROUTER_FORWARD_ONLY_UNITS:
+            continue
+
         ports = SERVICE_PORT_REQUIREMENTS.get(unit, [])
         if ports:
             enabled_port_requirements.append((entry.get("name", unit), unit, ports))
diff --git a/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/css/domain-setup.css b/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/css/domain-setup.css
index 2db406e..6bcf638 100644
--- a/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/css/domain-setup.css
+++ b/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/css/domain-setup.css
@@ -172,6 +172,58 @@ domain-field-actions {
   font-weight: 600;
 }
 
+/* ── Port-forwarding instructions ─────────────────────────────────── */
+
+.port-req-steps {
+  margin: 4px 0 12px;
+  padding-left: 20px;
+  font-size: 0.84rem;
+  color: var(--text-secondary);
+  line-height: 1.65;
+}
+
+.port-req-steps li {
+  margin-bottom: 5px;
+}
+
+.port-proto-badge {
+  display: inline-block;
+  font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira Code', 'Source Code Pro', monospace;
+  font-size: 0.72rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
+  padding: 2px 7px;
+  border-radius: 5px;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+}
+
+.port-proto-badge--tcp {
+  color: #6dbf8b;
+  background: rgba(109, 191, 139, 0.12);
+  border: 1px solid rgba(109, 191, 139, 0.4);
+}
+
+.port-proto-badge--udp {
+  color: #6aa9e0;
+  background: rgba(106, 169, 224, 0.12);
+  border: 1px solid rgba(106, 169, 224, 0.4);
+}
+
+.port-proto-badge--both {
+  color: #e5a50a;
+  background: rgba(229, 165, 10, 0.12);
+  border: 1px solid rgba(229, 165, 10, 0.45);
+}
+
+.port-proto-note {
+  display: block;
+  margin-top: 3px;
+  font-size: 0.68rem;
+  color: var(--text-dim);
+  text-transform: none;
+  letter-spacing: 0;
+}
+
 /* ── Wallet Connections unique-hostname warning ───────────────────── */
 
 .domain-nwc-warning {
diff --git a/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/js/features.js b/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/js/features.js
index 841e2ac..b212869 100644
--- a/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/js/features.js
+++ b/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/js/features.js
@@ -279,24 +279,12 @@ function openPortRequirementsModal(featureName, ports, onContinue) {
     : '';
 
   function renderPortRequirements(internalIp) {
-    var rows = ports.map(function(p) {
-      return '<tr><td class="port-req-port">' + escHtml(p.port) + '</td>' +
-        '<td class="port-req-proto">' + escHtml(p.protocol) + '</td>' +
-        '<td class="port-req-desc">' + escHtml(p.description) + '</td></tr>';
-    }).join("");
-    var ipPart = internalIp
-      ? ' to this computer&rsquo;s internal IP <code class="port-req-internal-ip">' + escHtml(internalIp) + '</code>'
-      : " to this computer's internal IP";
-
     $portReqBody.innerHTML =
-      '<p class="port-req-intro">For <strong>' + escHtml(featureName) + '</strong> to work for people outside your home network, ' +
-      'forward each port below' + ipPart + " in your router's port-forwarding settings. " +
-      'Set the internal and external port to the same number.</p>' +
-      '<table class="port-req-table">' +
-      '<thead><tr><th>Port(s)</th><th>Protocol</th><th>Purpose</th></tr></thead>' +
-      '<tbody>' + rows + '</tbody>' +
-      '</table>' +
-      '<p class="port-req-hint">💡 You can review these ports with live status any time on the <strong>' + escHtml(featureName) + '</strong> tile after enabling.</p>' +
+      renderPortForwardGuideHtml(ports, {
+        internalIp: internalIp,
+        serviceName: featureName,
+      }) +
+      '<p class="port-req-hint">💡 This list is always available again on the <strong>' + escHtml(featureName) + '</strong> tile.</p>' +
       '<div class="domain-field-actions">' +
       '<button class="btn btn-close-modal" id="port-req-dismiss-btn">Dismiss</button>' +
       continueBtn +
@@ -429,39 +417,10 @@ function handleFeatureToggle(feat, newEnabled) {
       return;
     }
 
-    // Check which ports are actually closed before showing the modal
-    fetch("/api/ports/status", {
-      method: "POST",
-      headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
-      body: JSON.stringify({ ports: ports }),
-    })
-      .then(function(r) {
-        if (!r.ok) throw new Error("Port status request failed: " + r.status);
-        return r.json();
-      })
-      .then(function(data) {
-        var portStatuses = {};
-        (data.ports || []).forEach(function(p) {
-          portStatuses[p.port + "/" + p.protocol] = p.status;
-        });
-
-        var closedPorts = ports.filter(function(p) {
-          var key = p.port + "/" + p.protocol;
-          var status = portStatuses[key] || "unknown";
-          return status !== "listening" && status !== "firewall_open";
-        });
-
-        if (closedPorts.length === 0) {
-          proceedAfterPortCheck();
-        } else {
-          openPortRequirementsModal(feat.name, closedPorts, proceedAfterPortCheck);
-        }
-      })
-      .catch(function(err) {
-        console.warn("Failed to fetch port status for feature enable flow:", err);
-        // Safe fallback if status check fails
-        openPortRequirementsModal(feat.name, ports, proceedAfterPortCheck);
-      });
+    // Always show the full list of ports to forward. Port forwarding happens on
+    // the router, which this computer cannot inspect — a local check would only
+    // hide ports the user still has to open.
+    openPortRequirementsModal(feat.name, ports, proceedAfterPortCheck);
   }
 
   if (feat.id === "bitcoin-core") {
diff --git a/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/js/helpers.js b/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/js/helpers.js
index bfeb702..494990b 100644
--- a/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/js/helpers.js
+++ b/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/js/helpers.js
@@ -40,6 +40,66 @@ function linkify(str) {
   return escHtml(str).replace(/(https?:\/\/[^\s<]+)/g, '<a href="$1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="creds-link">$1</a>');
 }
 
+// ── Router port-forwarding guide ──────────────────────────────────
+// Whether a port is truly reachable can only be judged from OUTSIDE the
+// network, so we never show a local "ready" verdict here. We only tell the
+// user exactly what to enter in their router.
+
+// Render the protocol cell so TCP / UDP / both is unmistakable.
+function portProtocolHtml(protocol) {
+  var p = String(protocol || "TCP").toUpperCase();
+  var isTcp = p.indexOf("TCP") !== -1;
+  var isUdp = p.indexOf("UDP") !== -1;
+  if (isTcp && isUdp) {
+    return '<span class="port-proto-badge port-proto-badge--both">TCP + UDP</span>' +
+      '<span class="port-proto-note">both required</span>';
+  }
+  if (isUdp) return '<span class="port-proto-badge port-proto-badge--udp">UDP</span>';
+  return '<span class="port-proto-badge port-proto-badge--tcp">TCP</span>';
+}
+
+// ports: [{ port, protocol, description }]
+// opts:  { internalIp, serviceName, tableClass, introClass, noteClass }
+function renderPortForwardGuideHtml(ports, opts) {
+  opts = opts || {};
+  var tableClass = opts.tableClass || "port-req-table";
+  var introClass = opts.introClass || "port-req-intro";
+  var noteClass  = opts.noteClass  || "port-req-hint";
+  var ipHtml = opts.internalIp
+    ? '<code class="port-req-internal-ip">' + escHtml(opts.internalIp) + '</code>'
+    : 'this computer&rsquo;s <strong>internal IP</strong> (shown as &ldquo;Internal IP&rdquo; at the top of the Hub dashboard)';
+
+  var rows = (ports || []).map(function(p) {
+    return '<tr>' +
+      '<td class="port-req-port">' + escHtml(p.port) + '</td>' +
+      '<td class="port-req-proto">' + portProtocolHtml(p.protocol) + '</td>' +
+      '<td class="port-req-desc">' + escHtml(p.description || "") + '</td>' +
+      '</tr>';
+  }).join("");
+
+  var forWhat = opts.serviceName
+    ? 'For <strong>' + escHtml(opts.serviceName) + '</strong> to be reachable from outside your home network, open'
+    : 'Open';
+
+  return '<p class="' + introClass + '">' +
+      forWhat + ' the ports below in your router&rsquo;s <strong>port forwarding</strong> settings ' +
+      'and point them at ' + ipHtml + '.' +
+    '</p>' +
+    '<ul class="port-req-steps">' +
+      '<li>Set the <strong>internal (private) port</strong> and the <strong>external (public) port</strong> to the <strong>same number</strong>.</li>' +
+      '<li>Match the <strong>protocol</strong> exactly — a rule set to TCP will not pass UDP traffic. Where the table says <strong>TCP + UDP</strong>, create both rules (or pick &ldquo;Both&rdquo;/&ldquo;TCP/UDP&rdquo; if your router offers it).</li>' +
+      '<li>For a range such as <strong>30000-40000</strong>, use your router&rsquo;s port-range fields — start 30000, end 40000 — rather than one rule per port.</li>' +
+    '</ul>' +
+    '<table class="' + tableClass + '">' +
+      '<thead><tr><th>Port(s)</th><th>Protocol</th><th>Used for</th></tr></thead>' +
+      '<tbody>' + rows + '</tbody>' +
+    '</table>' +
+    '<p class="' + noteClass + '">' +
+      '📱 <strong>How to confirm it worked:</strong> forwarding happens on your router, so it can only be verified from outside your network. ' +
+      'Turn Wi-Fi off on your phone and open the service over mobile data — if it loads, your ports are open.' +
+    '</p>';
+}
+
 function formatDuration(seconds) {
   const h = Math.floor(seconds / 3600);
   const m = Math.floor((seconds % 3600) / 60);
diff --git a/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/js/service-detail.js b/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/js/service-detail.js
index cb6557e..ad7ea37 100644
--- a/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/js/service-detail.js
+++ b/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/js/service-detail.js
@@ -514,85 +514,41 @@ async function openServiceDetailModal(unit, name, icon) {
         domainActionHtml +
         '</div>';
 
-      if (unit === "livekit.service" && data.extra_ports && data.extra_ports.length > 0) {
+      if (data.router_ports && data.router_ports.length > 0) {
         var trimmedInternalIp = data.internal_ip ? String(data.internal_ip).trim() : "";
-        var internalIp = trimmedInternalIp || "";
-        var internalIpHtml = internalIp ? escHtml(internalIp) : "Could not detect";
-        var forwardNote = internalIp
-          ? 'Forward each port below in your router to this computer&rsquo;s internal IP <code class="port-req-internal-ip">' + internalIpHtml + '</code>, using the same internal and external port.'
-          : 'Forward each port below in your router to this computer&rsquo;s internal IP, using the same internal and external port.';
-        var domainConfigured = !!(data.domain && String(data.domain).trim());
-        var extraRows = "";
-        data.extra_ports.forEach(function(p) {
-          var statusIcon, statusClass2;
-          if (!effectiveEnabled) {
-            statusIcon = "⚠ Configure Element Call first";
-            statusClass2 = "port-status-open";
-          } else if (!domainConfigured) {
-            statusIcon = "⚠ Configure domain first";
-            statusClass2 = "port-status-open";
-          } else if (p.status === "listening") {
-            statusIcon = "✅ Ready";
-            statusClass2 = "port-status-listening";
-          } else if (p.status === "firewall_open") {
-            statusIcon = "✅ Ready";
-            statusClass2 = "port-status-open";
-          } else if (p.status === "closed") {
-            statusIcon = "❌ Not ready yet";
-            statusClass2 = "port-status-closed";
-          } else {
-            statusIcon = "— Could not check";
-            statusClass2 = "port-status-unknown";
-          }
-          extraRows += '<tr>' +
-            '<td class="svc-detail-port-table-port">' + escHtml(p.port) + '</td>' +
-            '<td class="svc-detail-port-table-proto">' + escHtml(p.protocol) + '</td>' +
-            '<td class="svc-detail-port-table-desc">' + escHtml(p.description || "") + '</td>' +
-            '<td class="svc-detail-port-table-status ' + statusClass2 + '">' + statusIcon + '</td>' +
-            '</tr>';
-        });
         html += '<div class="svc-detail-section">' +
           '<div class="svc-detail-section-title">Ports to Forward in Your Router</div>' +
-          '<div class="svc-detail-port-note">' + forwardNote + '</div>' +
-          '<table class="svc-detail-port-table">' +
-            '<thead><tr><th>Port</th><th>Protocol</th><th>Used For</th><th>Sovran_SystemsOS Status</th></tr></thead>' +
-            '<tbody>' + extraRows + '</tbody>' +
-          '</table>' +
-          '<div class="svc-detail-port-note">✅ = Sovran_SystemsOS is ready on this computer. Router-side forwarding itself can only be verified from outside your network (e.g. a phone on mobile data).</div>' +
+          renderPortForwardGuideHtml(data.router_ports, {
+            internalIp: trimmedInternalIp || null,
+            tableClass: "svc-detail-port-table",
+            introClass: "svc-detail-port-note",
+            noteClass: "svc-detail-port-note",
+          }) +
           '</div>';
       }
     } else if (data.port_statuses && data.port_statuses.length > 0) {
-      // Non-domain services (SSH) keep local single-port checks.
-      var portTableRows = "";
-      data.port_statuses.forEach(function(p) {
-        var statusIcon, statusClass2;
-        if (p.status === "listening") {
-          statusIcon = "✅ Ready";
-          statusClass2 = "port-status-listening";
-        } else if (p.status === "firewall_open") {
-          statusIcon = "✅ Ready";
-          statusClass2 = "port-status-open";
-        } else if (p.status === "closed") {
-          statusIcon = "❌ Not ready";
-          statusClass2 = "port-status-closed";
-        } else {
-          statusIcon = "— Could not check";
-          statusClass2 = "port-status-unknown";
-        }
-        portTableRows += '<tr>' +
-          '<td class="svc-detail-port-table-port">' + escHtml(p.port) + '</td>' +
-          '<td class="svc-detail-port-table-proto">' + escHtml(p.protocol) + '</td>' +
-          '<td class="svc-detail-port-table-desc">' + escHtml(p.description || "") + '</td>' +
-          '<td class="svc-detail-port-table-status ' + statusClass2 + '">' + statusIcon + '</td>' +
-          '</tr>';
+      // Non-domain services (e.g. SSH): show what to forward, plus a short
+      // note if the service isn't actually listening on this computer yet.
+      var localInternalIp = data.internal_ip ? String(data.internal_ip).trim() : "";
+      var notListening = data.port_statuses.filter(function(p) {
+        return p.status === "closed";
       });
+      var localNote = notListening.length
+        ? '<div class="svc-detail-port-note port-status-closed">' +
+            '⚠ Port ' + escHtml(notListening.map(function(p) { return p.port; }).join(", ")) +
+            ' is not open on this computer yet — enable the service below first, then forward it in your router.' +
+          '</div>'
+        : "";
       html += '<div class="svc-detail-section">' +
-        '<div class="svc-detail-section-title">Port Requirements</div>' +
-        '<div class="svc-detail-port-note">This shows whether Sovran_SystemsOS is ready to use this port on this computer. If you need access from outside your home network, forward this port in your router.</div>' +
-        '<table class="svc-detail-port-table">' +
-          '<thead><tr><th>Port</th><th>Protocol</th><th>Used For</th><th>Sovran_SystemsOS Status</th></tr></thead>' +
-          '<tbody>' + portTableRows + '</tbody>' +
-        '</table>' +
+        '<div class="svc-detail-section-title">Ports to Forward in Your Router</div>' +
+        '<div class="svc-detail-port-note">Only needed if you want to reach this service from <strong>outside</strong> your home network. On your local network it already works without any router changes.</div>' +
+        renderPortForwardGuideHtml(data.port_statuses, {
+          internalIp: localInternalIp || null,
+          tableClass: "svc-detail-port-table",
+          introClass: "svc-detail-port-note",
+          noteClass: "svc-detail-port-note",
+        }) +
+        localNote +
         '</div>';
     }
 
diff --git a/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/onboarding.js b/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/onboarding.js
index 525f4bb..998d827 100644
--- a/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/onboarding.js
+++ b/app/sovran_systemsos_web/static/onboarding.js
@@ -383,10 +383,12 @@ async function loadStep3() {
       ? ' to this computer&rsquo;s internal IP <strong>' + escHtml(internalIp) + '</strong>'
       : ' to this computer&rsquo;s internal IP';
     html += '<div class="onboarding-port-warn" style="margin-bottom:16px;">'
-      + '🔌 <strong>One router task:</strong> forward ports <strong>80</strong> and <strong>443</strong> (TCP)'
-      + routerIpPart + '. They are required for HTTPS and SSL certificates — without them your services cannot be reached from outside your home network. '
-      + 'Forward port <strong>22</strong> (TCP) too if you want remote SSH access. '
-      + 'Element Call needs a few extra ports, but you&rsquo;ll be shown those when you enable it.'
+      + '🔌 <strong>One router task:</strong> in your router&rsquo;s <strong>port forwarding</strong> settings, forward '
+      + 'port <strong>80 (TCP)</strong> and port <strong>443 (TCP)</strong>'
+      + routerIpPart + '. Use the <strong>same number for the internal and external port</strong>. '
+      + 'These are required for HTTPS and SSL certificates — without them your services cannot be reached from outside your home network. '
+      + 'Add port <strong>22 (TCP)</strong> as well if you want remote SSH access. '
+      + 'Element Call needs a few extra ports (some UDP), and you&rsquo;ll be shown exactly which when you enable it.'
       + '</div>';
 
     relevantDomains.forEach(function(d) {